1 September 2025

At Scallywags, we believe that children’s early years are the foundations of their future. Health, nutrition, hygiene, and active lifestyles are not “add-ons” to learning – they are woven into every part of our daily practice. As we step into September, and with the new Early Years Nutritional Guidance (2025) in place, we’re proud to share how we meet and exceed expectations for keeping children healthy and happy.

𝗛𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲: 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀, 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁

Good hygiene is one of the simplest and most important ways to protect children’s health. At Scallywags, we:

• • Encourage frequent handwashing – after toilet use, before meals, and after outdoor play.

• • Provide tissues and teach children to catch it, bin it, kill it.

• • Follow strict cleaning routines across the nursery.

• • Operate a 48-hour exclusion rule after vomiting or diarrhoea to stop the spread of illness.

• • Keep hand sanitiser at entry points for staff, parents, and visitors.

We treat hygiene as part of learning: children are supported to understand why we wash hands and how to stay clean, giving them independence and confidence.

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗘𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Nutrition is central to development. Children need balanced meals to grow, concentrate, and thrive. That’s why we work in partnership with Zebedees, a trusted catering provider.

• • Menus are designed by Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a registered dietitian.

• • Meals are freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced, and cater for young children’s needs.

• • Fresh fruit and vegetables are available daily.

• • Menus are visible for parents and updated regularly.

Mealtimes at Scallywags are calm, sociable, and positive. Children sit together, build independence, and are gently encouraged to try new foods – never forced. Water is always available, and staff role model good habits by eating alongside children.

𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀, 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

We know every child is unique. That’s why we:

• • Cater for allergies, medical diets, cultural or religious needs, and parental preferences.

• • Display children’s dietary needs clearly in every relevant space.

• • Support parents through the weaning journey, respecting family choices and offering guidance when needed.

This ensures mealtimes are inclusive, safe, and enjoyable for all.

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱

A healthy lifestyle is more than what’s on the plate. At Scallywags, we make sure children stay active and engaged every day:

• • Forest School sessions provide rich, outdoor learning and physical challenge.

• • Sports and yoga activities develop strength, flexibility, and coordination.

• • Free-flow outdoor play gives children freedom to move and explore.

We follow national guidance that under 5s should be active for at least 3 hours daily – and we make this a natural part of nursery life.

𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

Oral health is a vital part of overall wellbeing. We are proud to have Oral Health Champions, Demi and Becky, who:

• • Share top tips with families on brushing and dental care.

• • Encourage positive routines: brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, spitting not rinsing, and supervised brushing until age 7.

• • Promote confidence around dental visits.

Good habits now mean healthy smiles for life.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿

Keeping children healthy is a shared responsibility between nursery and home. We keep families updated through:

• • Daily meal information via the Care Diary (Nursery in a Box).

• • Parent information packs and advice on nutrition, weaning, and oral health.

• Open communication about concerns, preferences, and individual needs.

𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

At Scallywags, our commitment to children’s health and wellbeing has been recognised through several prestigious awards and achievements:

• Gold Award – Healthy Early Years London
  Recognising our outstanding commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles across nutrition, hygiene, and wellbeing.

• PANCO (Physical Activity and Nutrition Co-ordinator) Accreditation
  Demonstrating our expertise in embedding healthy eating and physical activity into children’s daily routines.

• Level 5 Gardening Award
  Celebrating our passion for growing, gardening, and helping children understand where food comes from through hands-on, outdoor learning.

These awards are more than certificates on the wall – they reflect our ethos of putting children’s health at the centre of everything we do.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

Children’s brains and bodies are developing faster in the early years than at any other stage of life. By:

• • providing healthy food through a trusted partner like Zebedees,

• • embedding hygiene routines,

• • making active play and outdoor learning part of every day, and

• • supporting oral health and wellbeing,

we are helping our children build healthy habits that last a lifetime.

At Scallywags, keeping children healthy isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about valuing every child’s wellbeing and giving them the best start in life.

Keeping children healthy blog written by Demi Eastment